[A/N: Gave it some thought. We'll keep it at 10 chapters ahead. Do check it out over there (link in bio). For now, have this chapter and enjoy.
Such a shame it had gotten blocked earlier.....]
(Vaelor's POV)
"Are you bothered by this?" Lady Ellyn said as she looked at me, "You have quite the frown on your face."
"Hm?" I said, "Oh. No, it is fine."
We were at the dinner table, eating as music was heard all about. The sound of the music was as loud as the sound of laughter that came out of the Lords' mouths. All of this was barely able to drown out the stampeding footsteps of the servants as they served food and drinks on the table.
Apparently, this dinner was in honor of my betrothal to Lady Ellyn and to celebrate House Tyrell becoming members of the Court and potentially part of the Small Council. None of that mattered to me, as I was not interested in the politics of this place.
I occasionally caught Alyssa throwing glances my way, looking at Lady Ellyn as we ate. I didn't know what was up with her, honestly. She normally didn't do something like this, but I was not going to think much about it.
"My Prince." Lady Ellyn said, "If you have some concerns about this, you can speak freely to me. I don't mind."
She gave me a smile, placing her hand on mine.
"Oh!" a voice said, "Look at these two! Getting close already!"
I looked to the side and saw one of Lord Tyrell's brothers, Ser Mace, looking at us with a smile as he laughed. All eyes were suddenly on us as Lady Ellyn immediately pulled her hand away and looked down, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Prince Vaelor!" He said as he raised a cup of wine at me, "Isn't my niece a beauty! You are quite the lucky young man, I must say. Not everyone can say they are fortunate enough to be with someone like her."
I looked at him, saying nothing. His cheeks were flushed and his left eye was slightly closed, most of his words were slurred as well.
He was drunk.
Father cleared his throat and stood up, which caused Ser Mace to look down and place his cup down.
"I would like to make a toast." He said, "First, I wish Lord Tyrell good health. Lady Ellyn, your Father is a dear friend of mine. It is a shame he was unable to join us today, but worry not, he is under our Maesters' care."
Lady Ellyn nodded slowly, "Thank you, Your Grace."
"Secondly." Father continued, "My son, Vaelor. He may be young, but he is a Targaryen Prince. A Dragonrider. And someone who is worthy of being your husband. And you, Young One, are worthy of being the mother of his children. I wish only the best for the two of you."
What a convenient choice of words. It is rare for Father to speak this way. But I suppose he wishes to marinate the Tyrells like this. That is how he keeps the peace, this King of ours.
Father looked at me and gave me a slight nod, raising his cup at me, "Vaelor." He said, "Any words to say?"
Everyone was looking at me, their eyes piercing right at me. I could feel my own Mother's gaze upon me, which made me the most nervous.
I stood up slowly, raising my own cup, "I....." I started, gulping slightly as I looked at Lady Ellyn, "I look forward to being Lady Ellyn's husband. That is all....."
"Good." Father said, the word was firm and almost cold
I sat back down as the others continued in their conversations. I could feel the gaze of both my Mother and my elder sister. I glanced at Alyssa, and she was giving me a serious frown, as if she didn't agree with what I had just said.
Baelon was drinking from his cup, giving me a side eye, as if he knew what Alyssa was thinking. I could also see that Aemon, despite giving his attention to Jocelyn, was giving me glances as well.
All of this was surprisingly tense for me. I mean, I was technically a spare heir, was I not? I am one half of a set of twin sons that the King and Queen had after their Heir had been established. Aemon is already married and has a child, and Baelon is also married, so I assume children are coming his way too.
So why are they bothering this much with me? It makes no sense.
"I give you my word." Lady Ellyn said softly, breaking my train of thought, "You will not regret being with me. I am fertile, despite my age. I....will provide healthy children..."
"R-Right...." I said as I looked down, "I suppose so...."
**********************
I let out a sigh as I sat on the railing on the balcony, looking up at the stars, "Oh boy...." He said, "Why must the gods test me this way?"
"You are a Prince." a voice said, "Sometimes, the gods test you to know if you're worthy of your position."
I looked to see Alyssa walking up to me with a slight smile.
"Sister. I didn't know you were that pious." I said
"I'm not." She chuckled, "Maegelle told me those words when I vented about this."
"Oh, did she?" I said with a raised eyebrow, "Why were you venting to her?"
"Because I don't agree with this." She said, "This marriage of yours. I have begged Baelon and Aemon to protest it but they don't want to bother with it. Father is adamant about it."
"I see...." I said, "I mean...Father is the King....and well.....If he says I must marry, I mus-"
"Vaelor." She cut me off, "You are too young, in my opinion, to marry. But that is not only why I disagree with this."
"Then what is it?" I asked her
"It's Daella." She said
"What of her?" I asked her with a raised eyebrow
"Are you dense?" She asked with a frown, "The girl loves you."
"Oh well, yes." I said, "I expect that. I'm her brother. And she is my sister. I love her too."
She sighed and shook her head, "Not like that, you buffoon." She said, "Love, Vaelor. Love."
I blinked, "Oh."
"Yes." She said with a slight smirk, "Oh."
She said that last part with a sarcastic tone.
I sighed, "What can we do about this?" I said, "I didn't mind if they decided to betroth us together, Daella and I. But they had other plans. And Lady Ellyn seems rather nice, don't you think?"
"Are you going to stand by and let your sister be married off to some old cunt of a lord?" Alyssa asked me
I scowled, "Who says I'll do that?" I asked, "I'm going to protect my precious sister no matter what."
"And that's a promise!"